One of the biggest disappointment’s of Manchester United’s season thus far (and there have been many), has been Shinji Kagawa’s failure to make any real impact.
The Japanese international lit up the Bundesliga with his all action performances for Borussia Dortmund, but has failed to replicate his form in the Premier League. The fans all have high expectations, but he hasn’t been able to meet them.
This is partly due to a lack of form, partly due to irregular game time and partly down to David Moyes playing him out of position.
He’s started only 15 games this season (out of 37) and is often thrust out on the left wing instead of his favoured central midfield position. It’s little wonder that he’s struggled this season.
“I still haven’t scored any goals this season so I’ve felt very irritated. This is the first time in my career that I haven’t been able to produce, so it’s disappointing. I pressure myself to score in every game but some days it feels like I just can’t win. I know I have to overcome that.
Actually, if I can’t, it really shows that I haven’t grown as a player. So because of that I have to really focus on the second half of the season and overcome that mental block.” (Source: The Mirror)
Whilst he was in Japan, Shinji scored 57 goals in 127 games for Cerezo Osaka. When playing for Borussia Dortmund he found the back of the net 29 times in 71 games.
So the fact that he’s scored just 6 goals in 44 games for Manchester United is revealing. He speaks of a mental block and you can’t help but wonder if finding his shooting boots once more could help him get into the right mindset once more.
Once he has his confidence back, I’m sure that all the other areas of his game will improve too.
Juan Mata’s arrival at Old Trafford wont make things easy for Shinji. Manchester United’s new favoured son is going to get plenty of game time and is likely to take most of the headlines.
So it’s up to the Japanese international to work hard and grab a regular position in the first team. Perhaps Mata’s arrival will take the pressure off and let him get back to his best.
What’s your take? Will Shinji Kagawa ever get back to his best?
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Shinji Kagawa is pherhaps by far United’s best player…………..as a team member. United tick when he ticks….but giving someone of his capability starts every other month or so has to be depressing..this man works tirelessly for the team……………..covering ground for many in the team helping them out of bad situtations that they are not capable of getting out of themselves…………………put him with Mata…………sort out the midfield and defence…………..you will start to see football flowing…………not rugby kicking for goal which is what most of untiteds team does…………and also goalkeepers just kicking wildly upfield………….how useless